This will be my first time targeting mule deer and could use some advice. I will be hunting Nov. 28 - Dec 2nd in SD along the Missouri River (its East River) I have my general public areas picked out (mostly river bluffs with cedars) and have a small area of private. The private ground is a couple of draws leading towards the Missouri River bluffs that extend into crops (cut corn). My question is whether I should focus on food or the bluffs. As I said this will be my first time targeting mule deer and I’m not sure how they pattern during this time of year. Thanks for the help in advance.
Late November mule deer. SD
- Thread starter Jbills
- Start date
Two things popped into my mind on those dates. Check out the does. There is a likely chance there will still be some rut activity going on.I would plant myself right between the corn and the cedar Bluffs to catch them going back and forth especially if it is nice and cold.
That’s what I was thinking too, and it’s what I would do if I was targeting whitetail. Wasn’t sure if mule deer would be the same.
Prairie Rambler
Active member
Hunted SD for a decade while I was stationed there. Mule deer are more prevalent the farther west you go in the state. I'm not saying you won't see any, but the chases are low in that part of the state.
Mule deer bucks post rut are pretty easy to pattern, but will have broke from the doe groups by then. WT will primarily be in the ag and river bottoms. Focus on any sage flats you can find for muleys.
Mule deer bucks post rut are pretty easy to pattern, but will have broke from the doe groups by then. WT will primarily be in the ag and river bottoms. Focus on any sage flats you can find for muleys.
grizzly63
Well-known member
What D79 says. I shot a Mule deer buck on Dec. 26th with a muzzy and he was with a rather large harem (20-25). There are not as many mulies in that area and that's why there is a limited number of hard to draw tags. There have been documented Mule deer kills in every SD county.
I know there are a few good bucks in the area from walking the shore line in the past and have seen them from the boat while fishing etc. which is why I would like to at least attempt to find them. I appreciate the help.
